Thompson Is New 'Big Gun'

The Former Lake Worth High School Player Has Proven To Be An Important Weapon In The Giants' Offensive Arsenal.

August 22, 1993|By Ed Giuliotti, Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

SAN FRANCISCO — The Thompson household in Tequesta, just north of West Palm Beach, often buzzes with young baseball fans wearing Marlins uniforms.

That doesn't bother Robby Thompson, even though his family lives on checks signed by the San Francisco Giants.

''I think their favorite player is still Dad,'' the second baseman said, but there seemed to be a trace of uncertainty in his voice. After all, Thompson had done little to endear himself to Marlins fans the past two games.

In Saturday's 7-4 victory by San Francisco, Thompson had three hits, including his second home run in two games. His first-inning single was one of three in a row that began left-hander Chris Hammond's afternoon.

His biggest blow came in the third inning, when he broke a 1-1 tie with a two-run double down the left-field line. He then helped put the game away with his home run off right-hander Robb Nen in the seventh inning.

At one point, three hits in a game were a big deal for Thompson. No more. He has one it 11 times, which is a team high. He has 33 multihit games, which ties him with Barry Bonds for the team lead.

''He has provided a spark to our lineup,'' said outfielder Darren Lewis, who has spent the season batting in front of Thompson in the order. ''To me he's one of our big guns.''

Robby Thompson a big gun? Since his days at John I. Leonard High School in Lake Worth, Thompson has been the consummate supporting actor. And with Bonds joining Will Clark and Matt Williams this year, Thompson would have been lucky to get any mention.

But after Saturday, his .333 batting average is in the daily Top 10, where the marquee names dwell. Thompson is fifth in the National League and hitting 75 points above his career average. He has hit in 14 of his past 15 games, during which he is batting .422 and has four home runs. In his previous six years, his seasonal averages have fluctuated just 30 points, from .271 (1986) to .241 (1989).

So why the sudden jump? Lewis credits manager Dusty Baker for leaving Thompson in the No. 2 spot in the lineup instead of bouncing him around.

''He's just locked in,'' Lewis said. ''He's in a comfort zone.''

But Thompson said Baker's influence before he became manager has meant more.

''Having Dusty Baker for four or five years as hitting coach has helped,'' he said. ''This is probably my best year overall, as far as a consistent basis. In past years, when I was coming up, I'd run into little slumps, get tired, get overmatched. But I don't feel this way anymore. I've learned what being a big leaguer is all about.''